Multi-band device

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In telecommunications, a multi-band device (including dual-band, tri-band, quad-band and penta-band devices) is a communication device (especially a mobile phone) that supports multiple radio frequency bands. All devices which have more than one channel use multiple frequencies; a band however is a group of frequencies containing many channels. Multiple bands in mobile devices support roaming between different regions where different standards are used for mobile telephone services. Where the bands are widely separated in frequency, parallel transmit and receive signal path circuits must be provided, which increases the cost, complexity and power demand of multi-band devices.

The term quad-band describes a device that supports four frequency bands: 850 and 1900 MHz, mostly used in the Americas (ITU region 2), and the 900 and 1800 MHz bands used elsewhere. Most GSM/UMTS phones support all four bands, while most CDMA/1xRTT phones do not, and so are considered only dual-band devices. A few phones support both of the domestic frequencies but only one foreign one for limited roaming, making them tri-band phones.

The term penta-band describes a device that supports a fifth frequency band, commonly the 2100 MHz band in much of the world. The Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) 1700 MHz band also seeing increased usage.